Are Your Windows Kid Safe?

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

News Release 12-65
Date: September 11, 2012

With the arrival of the cooler days and cool nights we all look forward
to the fall weather. We open our windows to let in fresh air. Along with
the open window comes an increased safety risk for young children. A
child’s fall from a window can be tragic. Sadly, several tragedies occur
each year across the country – they can be prevented.

The National Safety Council reminds parents that windows play a vital
role in home fire safety, but they can also pose a risk of a fall in the
home if other safety measures are not followed. According to the National
Safe Kids Campaign, about 18 children ages 10 and under die annually from
falls from windows. Another 4,700 children ages 14 and under will require
treatment each year for window fall related injuries.

Each year several children in your community fall from windows and land
in area hospitals. In several cases young children have climbed onto
furniture that is placed too close to an open window, and have fallen
out. Remember, children are top heavy; they can be looking out an open
window one minute and falling through it the next. A screen offers little
protection when the weight of a child pushes against it.

Here are some important safety tips to prevent children falling from
open windows:

Always supervise young children; life-threatening injuries can happen
in seconds to a child left unattended.

Close and lock windows whenever young children are around. If you need
ventilation, open windows that children cannot reach. (For example,
open double hung windows from the top only.)

Keep furniture and beds away from windows. Children can quickly climb
onto window ledges and fall.

Keep window treatments (blinds, cords, drapes, etc.) out of children's
reach. They may injure themselves when climbing or be strangled.

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Captain I Randal Bittinger,
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY: 711.
Duty PIO (Weekends/After-hours): 703-877-3702
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs,
services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.
4100 Chain Bridge Road
Fairfax, VA 22030fire-rescue.PA-LSEAfairfaxcounty.gov